Agenda, decisions and minutes

As Treasurer of Care & Repair North East Wales, Councillor Tudor Jones expressed appreciation for the Council’s support and he drew attention to the information on display showing the work undertaken by Care & Repair.

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

Councillor Tudor Jones declared a personal interest on Agenda Items 4 (Community Resilience) and 5 (Community Asset Transfer - Overview of Progress) as the Chair of Holywell Leisure Centre.

Councillor Tudor Jones declared a personal interest on Agenda Items 4 (Community Resilience) and 5 (Community Asset Transfer - Overview of Progress) as the Chair of Holywell Leisure Centre.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting on 25 June 2018.

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2018 were submitted.

Matters Arising

Minute number 13: Move from County Hall to Unity House - in response to comments from Councillor Dunbar on car parking availability, the Chief Officer advised that there were sufficient spaces to accommodate the number of employees who were due to relocate.  Councillor Wisinger gave a reminder of his request for a Committee site visit to Unity House.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

(a)       That the Committee supports the development of the Community Resilience Action Plan; and

(b)       That officers be thanked for the detailed work undertaken to produce the report.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced the report to update Members on progress with key areas of work in relation to the Resilient Communities priority which was part of the ‘Connected Council’ theme in the Council Plan.  Responsibility for this was now part of the Chief Officer’s portfolio following the departure of Ian Bancroft.

The growth of the social sector through social enterprise development and the success of Community Asset Transfers (CATs) and Alternative Delivery Models (ADMs) was important in helping communities to become more resilient and self-sufficient.  An overview was given of the six themes of Community Resilience on which actions were set out in the Flintshire Public Services Board (PSB) Well-being Delivery Plan 2018-23.

The Committee was introduced to Cher Lewney, the Programme Delivery Manager - Digital Customer & Community Resilience, who circulated presentation slides detailing the key principles and actions for each theme.  These would be supported by the development of evaluation frameworks to help manage the delivery of community resilience across the County.

Emma Blacklock, the Senior Family Support Lead, provided an update on progress with area-based activities at The Holway which enabled the Council and its partners to engage with residents and obtain views on potential improvements to their estates.  A further event was planned for the end of the month to link to the ‘Big Dee Day’.

The Senior Manager (Children & Workforce) shared information on the development of the Leadership Programme which was in the early stages of testing.  This was aimed at individuals working with communities to support public sector organisations in delivering change successfully.

In response to a query by Councillor Hutchinson on area-based work, the Chief Officer explained that the three areas had been selected based on work previously started and that other areas would be open to consideration over time.  Whilst some of the themes were led by the Council, others were the responsibility of partners such as Glyndwr University and Public Health Wales.

In highlighting Community Resilience as a key element of the Council Plan, Councillor Aaron Shotton said there were some excellent examples of CATs.  He referred to the Well-Being Delivery Plan as a useful template in giving assurance on the work being undertaken to benefit the whole of the County.

The Chairman was in agreement and described the Plan as a useful tool to monitor progress.

Councillor Paul Shotton praised the Holiday Hunger programme and welcomed the development of food hubs to tackle food poverty.  In response to comments on the importance of links with Health, the Senior Family Support Lead referred to the promotion of health screening at community events.

The Programme Delivery Manager advised that Council officers were engaging with Health representatives to discuss joined-up services and signposting to other types of support such as community-based activity programmes.

In response to a question from Councillor Tudor Jones about the programme in the Holway, it was explained that all 406 properties had received information encouraging residents to participate in the activities.

Councillor Mullin also remarked on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

That the Committee welcomes the work undertaken and support given to organisations through the Community Asset Transfer programme.

The Finance Manager (Community Services) presented a report detailing the status of all 30 Community Asset Transfers (CATs) which were either transferred or close to completion.

It was noted that the Council’s priority was to ensure that CATs nearing completion were completed and that those which had transferred were sustainable over the longer term.  Information was shared on the three stages of transfer and the support available to help identify issues at an early stage and mitigate risk of failure.  The Committee was advised that of the CATs which had been transferred, none were struggling.  Social enterprise work involved the provision of health checks to all social enterprises to support organisations through the CAT process.

The Asset Manager provided clarification to Councillor Hutchinson about a particular building in Buckley.  She explained that the process could only commence once an organisation had submitted an expression of interest and that additional grant funding could be accessed by organisations through lease arrangements.

Councillor Paul Shotton acknowledged the successful CATs which had been completed in Flintshire.

Councillor Tudor Jones referred to two assets which had been transferred at an earlier stage and he asked that these be added to the list of those completed.  He spoke about CATs as a key area of responsibility and asked whether designated officer support had been identified to ensure that progress was being carefully monitored.  The Finance Manager said that the Chief Officer (Housing and Assets) would provide a response and she gave assurance that continued support was in place, including health checks.  The Asset Manager gave a reminder of the independent support provided by the Flintshire Local Voluntary Council to organisations throughout the process.

The Chairman asked that details of the CAT for Carmel Village Hall be added to the list, following correspondence from Councillor Chris Dolphin.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee welcomes the work undertaken and support given to organisations through the Community Asset Transfer programme.

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme as submitted be approved; and

(b)       That the Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings as the need arises.

The Facilitator presented the current Forward Work Programme and advised that a special meeting may be required to consider Stage 1 budget options for 2019/20, depending on the outcome of forthcoming Member workshops.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme as submitted be approved; and

(b)       That the Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings as the need arises.

There were no members of the press or public in attendance.